Washing machine

ABSTRACT

In order to increase washing volume, a washing machine comprises of: a cabinet holding moving and non-moving parts; a stationary tub located within the cabinet, both of which have an upper opening; and a basket located within the stationary tub which rotates around a vertical shaft, wherein the stationary tub can be attached to the cabinet using fasteners or cushioning materials and can be attached to the base bearing assembly with a flexible part, such as a rubber boot. The said base bearing assembly and the basket are suspended by a plurality of hanging rods with spring and damping elements to absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. A tapered basket can be used to further increase the volume of the washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an approach to increase washing volume for a washing machine and, more particularly, to a washing machine having a stationary tub and assembled to a cabinet by fasteners or cushioning materials. In order to seal water, a boot (or called a bellow) made of a flexible material is used to connect the stationary tub to the base bearing assembly, in which a driving shaft, driven by a motor with or without a speed reducer, and the basket are suspended by a plurality of hanging rods with spring and damping elements at the upper portion of the cabinet and through the corner cavities between the cabinet and the stationary tub for the base bearing assembly at the lower portion of the washing machine, in order to absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. A tapered basket can be used to further increase volume of the washing machine.

2. Description of the Conventional Art

A washing machine generally refers to various devices for washing laundry with a spinning shaft driven by a motor, with or without a speed reducer, and an accessible opening with a cover used for loading clothes. A tub used as a water container is typically installed with a base bearing assembly and a basket which has a consistent diameter and is used for holding the clothes. The tub-basket assembly with the motor drive unit moves together relative to the cabinet. Four hanging rods with springs and dampers serve as a suspension to reduce vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load.

The conventional washing machine has a constraint that an increase in diameter of a tub leads to an excessive increase in strikes between the tub and the cabinet. However it is desirable to maximize the tub size so that the basket size can be maximized, too. As a result, the washing machine should have a maximized volume to meet the consumer's needs, while the water usage per clothes weight should be reduced and the energy efficiency should be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the present invention provides a washing machine having a structure in which the diameter of the basket can be maximized when the cabinet size is given and a washing machine dynamics performance that is not degraded.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a stationary tub located within the cabinet having an opening at the top for loading the clothes; and a basket located within the stationary tub rotating around a spinning shaft, wherein the stationary tub is assembled within the cabinet with fasteners or cushioning materials. The stationary tub is connected to the base bearing assembly with a flexible element, such as a boot, to seal the water and absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load. The base bearing assembly in which a driving shaft, driven by a motor with or without a speed reducer, and the basket are hanging by a plurality of rods with spring and damping elements attached at the upper portion of the cabinet and through the corner cavities between the cabinet and the stationary tub for the base bearing assembly at the lower portion of the washing machine, to form a suspension in order to reduce vibrations and forces generated by and imbalanced clothing load.

According to a washing machine of the present invention, one or more effects as follows may be achieved.

First, since the stationary tub has almost the maximum diameter inside the cabinet, the maximum diameter of the basket can be achieved. Therefore, the maximum volume of the washing machine can be achieved.

Second, the part, such as the boot, connecting the stationary tub and the base bearing assembly using clamps or other means, is made of flexible materials. Therefore, water can be sealed and less vibrations and forces will be transmitted to the stationary tub, the cabinet, and the floor.

Third, cushioning materials can be used between the cabinet and the stationary tub laterally and vertically to reduce vibrations and forces transmitted from the boot generated by an imbalanced clothing load.

Fourth, because of increase of the washing machine volume, water used for cleaning per clothes weight is reduced; therefore, the energy efficiency of the washing machine is improved.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned effects; other effects not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the definitions in the claims by one skilled in the art.

The unmentioned other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an external appearance of a typical washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a top view and a front sectional view of a prior art of a washing machine;

FIG. 3 is a top view and a front sectional view of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a flexible boot in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an alternative flexible boot in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top view and a front sectional view of a stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view and a front sectional view of an alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view and a front sectional view of another alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a tapered basket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like components.

FIG. 1 is an external appearance of a typical washing machine. FIG. 2 is a top view and a front sectional view of a prior art of a washing machine. FIG. 3 is a top view and a front sectional view of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a flexible boot in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an alternative flexible boot in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a top view and a front sectional view of a stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a top view and a front sectional view of an alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a top view and a front sectional view of another alternative stationary tub and a cabinet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a tapered basket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, according to a prior art, a washing machine 100 according to a prior art comprises a cabinet 110 having a top opening, a cabinet cover (not shown) covering the top opening of the cabinet 110 and having a clothes entry opening allowing the clothes to enter, a control panel 102 mounted on the cabinet 110 and taking an operation instruction from a user, a door 101 for opening and closing the clothes entry; a tub 120 hanging in the interior of the cabinet 110 at its upper location 113 by support rods 141 and spring and damping members 140, and a basket 160 located at inside of a tub 120, rotating around a spinning shaft 131, and accommodating the clothes washing. A plurality of water holes 161 are formed on the basket 160 to allow washing water to circulate between the tub 120, and a tub cover (not shown) is formed on an upper portion of the tub 120. An agitator or impeller 150 is provided on the bottom of the basket 160 in order to form a water swirl, and a motor 132 is installed at a lower side of the tub 120 to generate power in order to rotate the basket 160 and the agitator or impeller 150. The washing machine is supported by a plurality of feet 103.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine 100 comprises a cabinet 110 having a top opening, a cabinet cover (not shown) covering the top opening of the cabinet 110 and having a clothes entry opening allowing the clothes to enter, a control panel 102 mounted on the cabinet 110 and receiving an operation instruction from a user, a door 101 for opening and closing the clothes entry opening; a stationary tub 120 attached to the interior of the cabinet 110; a basket 160 which is suspended together with the base bearing assembly 130 by a plurality of hanging rods 141 with spring and damping elements 140, at the upper portion of the cabinet and the base bearing assembly 130 at the lower portion of the washing machine through the corner cavities 111 between the cabinet 110 and the stationary tub 120. A plurality of water holes 161 are formed on the basket 160 to allow washing water to circulate between the tub 120 and the basket 160, and a tub cover (not shown) is formed on an upper portion of the tub 120. An agitator or impeller 150 is provided on the bottom of the basket 160 in order to form a water swirl, and a motor 132 is installed at a lower side of the base bearing assembly 130 in order to generate power to rotate the basket 160 and the agitator or impeller 150. The washing machine is supported by a plurality of feet 103. The stationary tub 120 has a large opening 125 at the bottom. A flexible element, such as a boot 121, is used to connect the stationary tub 120 and the base bearing assembly 130 in order to seal water. One or more fastening members 122, such as clamps, or other means are used to retain the boot 121. The spring and damping elements 140 are supported by a support member 170, such as a bracket. A stationary tub 120 could be assembled to the cabinet 110 with fasteners or cushion materials 123 which are used to buffer the stationary tub 120 and the cabinet 110 at the approaching areas and at the bottom of the stationary tub 120. The other side of the boot 121 is assembled to the base bearing assembly 130 at the lower portion.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine 100 comprises a cabinet 110 having a top opening, a cabinet cover (not shown) covering the top opening of the cabinet 110 and having a clothes entry opening allowing the clothes to enter, a control panel 102 mounted on the cabinet 110 and receiving an operation instruction from a user, a door 101 for opening and closing the clothes entry opening; a stationary tub 120 attached to the interior of the cabinet 110; a basket 160 which is suspended together with base bearing assembly 130 by a plurality of hanging rods 141 with spring and damping elements 140, at the upper portion of the cabinet and the base bearing assembly 130 at the lower portion of the washing machine through the corner cavities 111 between the cabinet 110 and the stationary tub 120. A plurality of water holes 161 are formed on the basket 160 to allow washing water to circulate between the tub 120 and the basket 160, and a tub cover (not shown) is formed on an upper portion of the tub 120. An agitator or impeller 150 is provided on the bottom of the basket 160 in order to form a water swirl, and a motor 132 is installed at a lower side of the base bearing assembly 130 to generate power to rotate the basket 160 and the agitator or impeller 150. The washing machine is supported by a plurality of feet 103. The stationary tub 120 has a large opening 125 at the bottom. A flexible element, such as a boot 121, is used to connect the stationary tub 120 and the base bearing assembly 130 in order to seal water. One or more fastening members 122, such as clamps, or other means are used to retain the boot 121. The spring and damping elements 140 are supported by a support member 170, such as a bracket. A stationary tub 120 could be assembled to the cabinet 110 with fasteners or cushion materials 123 which are used to buffer the stationary tub 120 and the cabinet 110 at the approaching areas and at the bottom of the stationary tub 120. The inner side of the boot 121 encloses the center shaft of the base bearing assembly 130 at the upper portion.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a boot 121. With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a boot 121 is made of flexible material, such as rubber or the like, and is used to seal water between the stationary tub 120 and base bearing assembly 130.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of an alternative flexible element, boot 121. With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a boot 121 is made of flexible material, such as rubber or the like, and is used to seal water between the stationary tub 120 and base bearing assembly 130. The inner portion of the boot 121 is sandwiched by the basket 160, the base bearing assembly 130, with or without additional accessory parts.

FIG. 7 is a top view and a front sectional view of a stationary tub 120 inside of a cabinet 110. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary tub 120 has a large opening 125 at the bottom with a flange 124 facing down used to hold a boot 121 with one or more fastening elements 122, such as clamps or the like, or other means.

FIG. 8 is a top view and a front sectional view of an alternative stationary tub 120 inside of a cabinet 110. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary tub 120 has a large opening 125 at the bottom with a flange 124 toward up used to hold a boot 121 with one or more fastening elements 122, such as clamps or the like, or other means.

FIG. 9 is a top view and a front sectional view of another alternative stationary tub 120 inside of a cabinet 110. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary tub 120 has a large opening 125 at the bottom with or without a flange 124 facing in or out used to hold a boot 121 with one or more fastening elements 122, such as clamps or the like, or other means.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a tapered basket 160 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 10, the tub 120 needs a draft angle α, say 5 degrees. According to the prior art, the basket 160 has a consistent diameter. In order to maximize the basket volume, the basket 120 can be designed to have a tapered angle β to fully utilize the space inside the tub 120, where β equals α, approximately.

[0038]Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a stationary tub located within the cabinet having a top opening for the clothes entry and a large bottom opening attached to a flexible boot, which is further attached to the base bearing assembly; a plurality of hanging rods hanging at the upper portion of the cabinet and supporting the base bearing assembly with spring and damping elements therein through the corner cavities between the cabinet and the stationary tub; and a basket located within the stationary tub.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1, where the stationary tub has a large opening at the bottom with a flange or the like, or without.
 3. The washing machine of claim 2, where the flange or the like can be facing up into or facing down out of, or both, the stationary tub.
 4. The washing machine of claim 2, where the flange or the like can be facing in to, or facing out of, or both, the stationary tub, where the flange location can be much higher than the bottom surface of the basket.
 5. The washing machine of claim 2, where the stationary tub is installed inside of the cabinet with fasteners or cushioning materials at the approaching areas of the cabinet and at the bottom of the stationary tub.
 6. The washing machine of claim 1, where a boot made of flexible materials is used to connect the stationary tub and the base bearing assembly using one or more fasteners, such as clamps or the like, or other means.
 7. The washing machine of claim 1, where the base bearing assembly comprising: a motor, a spinning shaft with or without a clutch to drive the basket and agitator or impeller; and a bracket to hold the hanging rods with spring and damping elements.
 8. The washing machine of claim 7, where the base bearing assembly either has a flange, or the like, structure to attach the boot at its lower portion or has a means with or without accessory parts to sandwich the boot at its upper portion.
 9. The washing machine of claim 1, where the basket can be designed to have a tapered angle to fully utilize the space inside the tub, where the tapered angle is equivalent to the tub draft angle, approximately.
 10. The washing machine of claim 1, where a plurality of hanging rods hanging at the upper portion of the cabinet and supporting the base bearing assembly with spring and damping elements therein through the corner cavities between the cabinet and the stationary tub to absorb vibrations and forces generated by an imbalanced clothing load.
 11. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub located within the cabinet having a top opening for the clothes entry; and a basket, which has a tapered angle equal to the tub draft angle approximately, located within the tub. 